"Architecture and Energy" – the new exhibition at the German Architecture Museum (DAM) opening Saturday, 14 June – explores how architecture must evolve in response to climate change. Developed in collaboration with Prof. Werner Sobek, the exhibition addresses one of our most pressing questions: How do we build responsibly today?

Buildings consume vast amounts of energy and are responsible for a substantial share of global CO₂ emissions – from construction and operation through to demolition. The exhibition presents 23 exemplary projects that demonstrate forward-thinking design solutions. These buildings illustrate the crucial connections between energy, emissions, architecture, and environmental impact. On display are tangible strategies for reducing both emissions and energy consumption, whether through innovative energy sources, sustainable materials, or optimized building performance.

These realized projects span Europe and use predominantly industrialized building materials, ranging across urban and rural settings. The selection encompasses residential buildings, schools, kindergartens, food markets, offices, civic buildings, public squares, and entire neighborhoods – each representing a different scale and challenge. A key theme explores how these approaches reshape the landscape itself. The exhibition showcases diverse strategies: from straightforward construction methods to cutting-edge technology, from adaptive reuse to nature-integrated design. Three university faculties contribute their visions for the future of climate-responsive architecture, while visitors can engage hands-on with material libraries and discover the technical innovations reshaping how we build.

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